NHL: 3 teams that are proving their doubters wrong

By Jasmine Yen | Jan 19, 2020

CALGARY, AB - DECEMBER 17: Marcus Pettersson #28 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and teammates celebrate their 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames after an NHL game on December 17, 2019 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images /

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

Throughout the season, this team has been bombarded with injuries to almost all their star players. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel, Justin Schultz, the list goes on. In fact, this team has just five players who have been healthy all season long. The fact that they have managed to not just tread water but actually be one of the best teams in the league is a testament to the depth and resilience of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Last year, they were 26-16-6 in their first 48 games. This season, they are even better with a 30-13-5 record. When Crosby went down with an injury, Malkin and Guentzel stepped up big-time and lead the team in production. Now that Guentzel is out and Crosby has returned, Crosby has helped carry the torch with 6 points (3G 3A) in his three games back. Crosby has returned with all his swagger and the reunion with Malkin is a very dangerous combination for the rest of the NHL.

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The Penguins have 14 players with 15+ points which goes to show the offensive depth the team has up and down the lineup. Tristian Jarry has been phenomenal for the Penguins in net, with a .929 save percentage and 2.16 goals-against average in 24 games played. When star players went down with injuries, players took advantage of the promotions and propelled the team to second place in the Metropolitan Division. This team refuses to quit and proved many doubters wrong.

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